Shaming, group face, and identity construction in a Russian virtual community for women
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Renee Perelmutter
Abstract
Impoliteness, often described as non-cooperative and norm-disrupting verbal behavior (Keinpointner 2008; Culpeper et al. 2003; Beebe 1995), can also serve important sociability functions. When tension is present between individual and group face wants, impoliteness can be used to establish, reinforce, or (re)negotiate values salient to the group (Culpeper 2011; Lea at al. 1992; Graham 2007). The intersection of impoliteness with group face concerns is especially important in polylogous online contexts (Blitvich 2010; Lorenzo-Dus at al. 2011; Perelmutter 2013). This study examines the intersection between individual and group face concerns by examining impoliteness in an online Russian-language forum dedicated to discussions of marital infidelity. This forum is frequented by both mistresses and cheated-upon wives. Mistresses post confessions, expecting and sometimes even soliciting shaming responses from other forum members; wives engage in troubles-telling and are mocked by mistresses; mistresses and wives insult and shame each other. Since the overarching societal norms and expectations of family mores and gendered behavior in the post-Soviet society are often unclear, these shaming practices help Russian-speaking women construct and negotiate their identities within a group of peers. These negotiations integrate individual, group, and societal face concerns.
Abstract
Impoliteness, often described as non-cooperative and norm-disrupting verbal behavior (Keinpointner 2008; Culpeper et al. 2003; Beebe 1995), can also serve important sociability functions. When tension is present between individual and group face wants, impoliteness can be used to establish, reinforce, or (re)negotiate values salient to the group (Culpeper 2011; Lea at al. 1992; Graham 2007). The intersection of impoliteness with group face concerns is especially important in polylogous online contexts (Blitvich 2010; Lorenzo-Dus at al. 2011; Perelmutter 2013). This study examines the intersection between individual and group face concerns by examining impoliteness in an online Russian-language forum dedicated to discussions of marital infidelity. This forum is frequented by both mistresses and cheated-upon wives. Mistresses post confessions, expecting and sometimes even soliciting shaming responses from other forum members; wives engage in troubles-telling and are mocked by mistresses; mistresses and wives insult and shame each other. Since the overarching societal norms and expectations of family mores and gendered behavior in the post-Soviet society are often unclear, these shaming practices help Russian-speaking women construct and negotiate their identities within a group of peers. These negotiations integrate individual, group, and societal face concerns.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Introduction vii
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Self-reporting Studies
- Introduction to Part I 3
- Social deixis in motion 7
- The M-word 41
- “There’s not a lot of negotiation” 71
-
Observational Studies
- Introduction to Part II 93
- Korean honorifics beyond politeness markers 97
- Goading as a social action 121
- Shaming, group face, and identity construction in a Russian virtual community for women 149
-
Experimental Studies
- Introduction to Part III 183
- Interactional competence and politeness 187
- Using eye-tracking to examine the reading of texts containing taboo words 213
- Impoliteness electrified 239
-
Epilogue
- Epilogue 267
- Index 277
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Introduction vii
-
Self-reporting Studies
- Introduction to Part I 3
- Social deixis in motion 7
- The M-word 41
- “There’s not a lot of negotiation” 71
-
Observational Studies
- Introduction to Part II 93
- Korean honorifics beyond politeness markers 97
- Goading as a social action 121
- Shaming, group face, and identity construction in a Russian virtual community for women 149
-
Experimental Studies
- Introduction to Part III 183
- Interactional competence and politeness 187
- Using eye-tracking to examine the reading of texts containing taboo words 213
- Impoliteness electrified 239
-
Epilogue
- Epilogue 267
- Index 277
